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Cold-Eeze Side Effects

Cold-Eeze side effects reports have included allegations that its now discontinued nasal spray caused anosmia, the permanent loss of smell. In 2003, the Quigley Corporation added the nasal spray to its Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy product line. In some studies, zinc gluconate oral sprays have been shown to shorten the duration of colds by a few days, but other studies show it has no effect.

After reports of anosmia continued, the FDA said it was evaluating the Cold-Eeze side effects complaints. Cold-Eeze is considered a homeopathic remedy, so it is not FDA regulated the same way over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs are. The sale of the homeopathic remedies is allowed unless the FDA proves there are harmful Cold-Eeze side effects.

Allowing herbal products and homeopathic remedies to be regulated separately has been the source of much controversy in recent years. Popularity of the products has taken off, and even Cold-Eeze sales increased from 2003 to 2004, despite the number of reported colds in 2004 decreasing. Some experts are concerned that consumers are unable to really assess Cold-Eeze side effects because homeopathic remedies are shelved alongside over-the-counter medications that have different regulatory laws and quality control and labeling rules.

With science offering no definitive evidence on Cold-Eeze side effects, it is difficult to determine if possible risks outweigh possible benefits. The anosmia Cold-Eeze side effects complaints can occur, according to some scientists, because certain quantities of zinc could have an astringent effect that can damage cells in the nasal cavity that control the sense of smell. The FDA began to investigate anosmia Cold-Eeze side effects in response to complaints in 2004. At the time, the anosmia complaints were not only being made among Cold-Eeze users, but among Zicam nasal spray users, another popular zinc gluconate spray.

As the FDA was reviewing the information about anosmia Cold-Eeze side effects, Quigley quietly filed a financial notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission to discontinue Cold-Eeze nasal spray. Though some believe the product's discontinuation was in response to a growing number of anosmia Cold-Eeze side effects that were becoming a possible liability for the company, Quigley claims the withdrawal was purely a financial decision, citing disappointing sales.

There are about 2.5 million Americans believed to be suffering from a partial or complete loss of smell, according to the National Institutes of Health. Though there are no rigorous studies on whether Cold-Eeze side effects among zinc nasal spray users are at higher risk of suffering anosmia, sales of nasal zinc products still on the shelves are booming. Some doctors believe in the absence of more definitive information regarding zinc nasal sprays, patients should avoid the use of the products because the possible risks heavily outweigh the benefits of shortening the duration of a cold by a couple days.

Hundreds of people around the country are suing manufacturers of zinc nasal spray products claiming anosmia.

For more information on Cold-Eeze side effects and your legal rights, please contact us.

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